Ducks won't be the only ones missing Pronger

Before time separates us any further from his relatively short but very eventful stint with the Ducks, it seems fitting to offer something of a tribute to ChrisPronger, the centerpiece in Friday's blockbuster trade that sent the former Hart and Norris Trophy-winning defenseman to the Philadelphia Flyers.

In addition to playing a huge role in the Ducks' 2007 Stanley Cup run, proving to be the very large missing piece in a championship puzzle the season after having arrived in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers, Pronger served as the team's captain in 2007-08, a season that began with fellow blue-line standout Scott Niedermayer on the sidelines mulling retirement.

While he would be the first to tell you that his performance for much of last season was not up to his usual superstar standards, Pronger picked it up dramatically down the stretch and in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Without not only the tremendous play, but also the immeasurable veteran leadership by example provided by Pronger, Niedermayer and center Todd Marchant, the Ducks would never have even reached the post-season, let alone upset the Presidents' Trophy-winning San Jose Sharks in the first round and nearly knock off the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings in the second.

Despite the many rare gifts he displayed on the ice, including the intimidating physical presence and the unparalleled stretch passes that sent so many Ducks forwards flying dangerously into the offensive zone, it is perhaps Pronger's gigantic off-ice presence that will be missed most.

Booed mercilessly in nearly every NHL arena except his own, Pronger is perhaps the league's most misunderstood individual. Certainly, he has crossed the line at times, as eight career suspensions attest, but fans who are convinced that Pronger is nothing but evil are severely misguided.

Pronger himself often fuels the perception that he is a bad guy, perhaps as something of a defense mechanism and undoubtedly to place further fear into the heads of opponents. Brief interactions with Pronger can definitely leave the wrong impression, as evidenced by an incident after one Ducks road game against the Minnesota Wild.

With a collection of reporters nearby, Pronger loudly stated that anyone interested should gather around because he was going to speak only once. Those who knew him thought nothing of it. It was just Pronger being Pronger. Later, though, back up in the press box, two Minnesota media types were overheard discussing what a jerk they felt Pronger had been.

The truth was nothing of the kind. More than perhaps any NHL player, Pronger loves to play around, often including reporters in the day-to-day banter that is nearly always reserved only for fellow players and club support staff. At first blush, he can definitely come across as arrogant and prickly, but upon getting to know him, Pronger is unmasked as an extremely intelligent, articulate, candid and fun person to be around.

Having said all that, Pronger's personality is exceedingly strong, and there are definitely moments when he is surly. In time, he might rub some people the wrong way. Perhaps there were some Ducks teammates, or others in the organization, who had tired of Pronger, but the feeling here is that he will be missed, and not just because the huge hole left in the lineup will never be adequately filled.

Pronger memories are too numerous to list, but one that stands out is from the night the Ducks won the Stanley Cup. Despite having suffered a separated right shoulder, missing a portion of the game and needing multiple injections to get back into the clinching 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators, Pronger repeatedly raised the Cup for Ducks staff, family members and who knows who else to drink from during the boisterous locker-room celebration.

Then there was the time, after having been named team captain and fulfilled countless media requests during the Ducks' season-opening trip to London later in 2007, that Pronger graciously submitted to one more lengthy interview, about standout young St. Louis Blues defenseman Erik Johnson, as a favor to a St. Louis reporter. Upon receiving a transcript of the interview, the journalist couldn't believe how thoughtful and generous Pronger had been with his time.

And, of course, there were all of Pronger's priceless little verbal jabs, with no one immune.

"I tried to keep it light," Pronger said by telephone Friday night, after having been sincerely thanked at the conclusion of one final interview in what had been a very valuable and enjoyable series during his three years with the Ducks.

You succeeded, Prongs, in a manner exceedingly rare and much appreciated. It won't be nearly the same around here without you.

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